Box.



. BENNO VOMEIGEN, or NEWARK,

Patented May 31, 1904. I

PATENT -()FFICE.

NEW JERSEY, 'AssIeNoR TO A-U'e;

GOERTZ & 00., OFTNEWARK; NEW JERSEY, A FIRM.

SPECIFICATION forming art of Letters Patent 1%. 761,461, dated May 31, 1904.

Original application filed October so, 1 03, Serial 110179 47. Divided and this application filed January 11, 1904. $erial No.188,4=58. (N model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENNO voM EIGEN, a citizen of the United States, residingat Newark,

in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Boxes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to makeand use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to numerals of reference'marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.-

. The present invention.haslreference to improvementsin boxes; fand the invention relates more particularly. to improvements in that class of match-boxes which is carried in the pocket. V

The present invention, which is a division of my former application for Letters Patent, filed October 30, 1903, Serial No. 179,147, has

for its principal object to provide a novel and simple construction of holding clasp and vention inview the same consists in the novel spring-attachment for a box of the class above mentioned. H

A further object of the present invention is to provide, with a'match-box of this class, a

means, preferably arranged in the cover or. lid of the box, having removable scratchmgpads which when they become useless with theconstantscratching ofthe matches thereon can be replaced by other scratch pads.

Other objects of the present invention not at this time more particularlymentioned will appear from the followingdetailed description of the same. With the various objects of my present in- The invention is "clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Flgure 1 1s a plan new of a match or other box made according to the principles of the present invention with'the lid of the box rep: resented in its open relation to the body of the box. Fig. 2 is a front edge view of the said box with the lid represented in its closed position upon thebodyvof the box; and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the body of the. box, the said section being taken on line 3 3 in Fig. l and l'ookingin the direction of the arrow 00 in said figure to illustrate the general arrangement and construction of the spring-clasp oi the box. Fig. L is a transverse vertical section of the box and lidin their closed relation, the said section being takencentrally across the body of the box and illustrating the spring-clasp in its holding engagement with a holding tongue or lug upon the lid. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5 5 in Fig. 2 of the drawings, illustrating the manner of attaching the spring-plate of the holding-catch to the body of the box and also one manner of securing a push-piece, knob, or finger-piece to the said spring-plate, the said partsbeing represented in their normal initial positions;.and Fig. 6 isa similar view of the said parts, representing the said spring plate or bar in its actuated position. Fig. 7 is a detail cross-section taken on line 7 7 in said Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of thespring-catch in its detached position. one of the fastening-rivets for securing the said spring-catch in its operative position upon the interior 'surfaceof the body of the box, and Fig. l0'is a perspective viewof the 'knobor finger-piece to be used with the said spring catch. Fig. '11 is a longithdinalvertical section, on an enlarged scale, of the lid or cover ofthe box and the removably-ar ranged'scratcl1pads, the said section being taken on line l1 11 in Fig.- 1 of the drawings; and Fig. 12 is a perspective View of the said V Fig. 9 is a similar view of lid or cover with the scratch-pads removed,

illustrating one means for detachably holding the scratch-pads against the inner surface of the lid or cover of the box.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the above-described views to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the said drawings, the reference character 1 indicates the complete match or other box, the same comprising a body 2 and a lid 3, both of which are made from sheet metal. The said body 2, as will be seen from the several figures of the drawings, is preferably of a rectangular configuration; but the general contour of the box is not essential, and the said body comprises a 5 base 4 and its surrounding side portions, which form a front 5, a back 6, and the ends 7, all of which are preferably integrally united by being struck up or formed in any suitable manner from a suitable piece of metal. The said body '2 is preferably made in one or more or all of its side portions, as in the front, back, and ends, with an outwardly-extending portion 8 and an upper and inwardly extending portion 9, providing the 5 said body with an upper edge 10, forming a bezel, and upon its interior with a depression or recessed portion 11, substantially as illustrated. The said outwardly-extending portion 8, formed in the front 5 of the body 2, is

3 made with a suitably-disposed opening 12, in

which is movably arranged a knob or fingerpiece 13, preferably made as indicated in Fig. 10 of the drawings and being provided with a pair of lugs or prongs 14:. The prongs are inserted through a pair of holes or perforations 16, formed in a spring plate or bar 15, which plate is made with an upwardlyextending and preferably inwardly inclining catch or holding member 17 provided with a receiving-opening 18. The said spring plate or bar 15 is also made with a pair of elongated openings 19 and is suitably secured in the recess or depression 11 in the inner face of the front 5 by means of suitable posts or rivets 20. Each rivet or post 20 is made with the rivet portion 21 and offsets or shouldered portions 22 and 23, the rivet portion 21 being arranged in suitably-disposed holes 2 1 in the front 5 and securely upset against the outer 5 surface of the front 5, with the shoulders or offsets 22 resting against the inner face of the said front 5, while the portions 25 between the offsets are arranged in the elongated openings or holes 19 of the spring plate or bar 15 and the offsets 23 and the head portion 26 of each rivet or post being arranged outside of the spring plate or bar 15, as clearly illustrated in the several figures of the drawings. In this manner the said spring bar or plate 15 is operatively secured against the inner face of the front 5, with the end portions of said bar or plate slidably arranged upon the said posts or rivets 20, and the knob or fingerpiece 13 extending from the opening 12 in the 5 front5. The slidable arrangement of the end portions of the spring plate or bar 15 upon the posts or rivets 20 permits of the bowed relation of the said spring plate or bar (indicated in Fig. 6 of the drawings) when the knob or finger-piece 13 is forced in an inward. 7o direction to release the catch or holding member 17 of said spring plate or bar from its engagement with a holding lug or tongue 27, formed in the edge or projection 28 of the lid or cover 3 in the manner and for the purposes to be presently described.

The back of the body 2 is made with a pair of upwardly-extending ears or curled hinge portions 29 and 30, and the lid or cover 3 is in like manner made at its rear edge with a pair of downwardly-extending ears or curled hinge portions 31 and 32, registering with the ears or curled hinge portions 29 and 30 in the manner represented in Fig. 1 of the drawings and the same being pivotally connected by 8 5 means of a suitable pintle in any usual manner.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 4:, 11, and 12 of the drawings, it will be seen that I have provided the cover or lid 3 of the box with a pair of inwardly-extending members 33, having the right-angled or bent edges 34 extending toward each other, the said members and their angular edges forming holding-guides and with the body portion 35 between the said members or parts 33 producing a suitable holding means for slidably and rcmovably retaining a number of scratch-pads 36 (for the scratching of the matches thereon) in place upon the inner face of the said lid or cover of the box. That the openings 37 formed in the said lid by the stamped-out members 33 may be covered the said lid is preferably made with a raised marginal or bead-like part 38, which surrounds a depression 39 in the outer face of the lid and in which I have arranged and suitably secured therein a face-plate or finishplate 40, which may be suitably ornamented or may be provided with an advertisement, as may be desired.

From an inspection of Fig. 4 it will be seen I I that the holding catch or member 17 of the spring plate or bar 15 is arranged at an inclined angle to the upper edge of the said plate or bar 15 and that when the lid or cover 3 is being closed the holding lug or tongue 27 of said lid or cover will ride upon said member 17 and will spring into the opening 18 of said member 17, catching over the edge of the same to thereby retain the lid or cover in its closed position, as will be clearly evident.

From the previous description of my invention it will be seen that I have devised a simply-constructed box comprising but a very few parts which can be quickly and cheaply assembled. Furthermore, by providing the body of the box with the outwardly-extending portion 9 the use of a separate band or bezel, which has to be riveted or soldered in position, is clearly avoided, and a cheap and simple body construction is the result. lt

will also be noted that by arranging the spring plate or-bar in thedepression 11 these parts do not unnecessarily occupy the space of the'box; but it will be understood that this depression" is not of itself an absolute necessity and that the spring plate or bar '15 case the latter is providedwith a bezel,-se-

cured therein in .the usual manner. I

of this invention.

By-thearrangement of the holding means for the scratch-padconnected with the cover or lid ofthe box the box can be supplied from time 'to time with a number of fresh scratch-pads when those previously placed in for carrying such safety-matches whichcan be ignited only'on scratch-padshaving specially-prepared scratching-surfaces. l

I am aware that some changes may be made:

in the several arrangements and combinations of the parts without departing from the scope Hence I do not ,limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the parts as described in the foregoing specification and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings; nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of the said parts.

Having thus I claim is. v

1. In a box,-the combination, with the body of the box provided with side portions and an opening inone of said side portions, of a spring-plate arranged against the inner face of one of said side portions of said body, a finger-piece on said spring-plate extending intosaid opening, and means connected with the said side portion of the said body of the box with which the end portions of the springplate are slidably connected that the springplate may be bowed when thefinger-piece is described myinvention, what depressed, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

I said-opening in the body ofthe box, and fastening devices by means of which the end portions of said spring-plate are slidably-connected with said side portion of said body of thebox, each fastening device, consisting, es-

sentially, of a rivet portion secured to said side portion, offsets 22 and 23 and a portion head portion 26 on each fastening'device, substantially'as and for the purposesset forth. 5 3. In a box, the combination,- w-ith the body for the. matches or the like within the body of the box provided with side portions having spring-plate arranged in said recessed portion. I

11, a finger-piece on said spring-plate extend-1 ing into thesaid opening, and means connected with the said side portion ofthe said-body of. the box with which the end portions ofgthe spring-plate are slidably connected that the said spring-plate may be bowed when the finfor the-purposes set forth.

4:. In abox, the combinatiomwith thebody "of. the box provided with side portions having a recessed portion 11, and provided .with an opening in one of said side portions, of a 's'pringplate arranged in said recessed portion 11, the said spring-plate being provided near its endportion with elongated openings, a finger-piece on said spring-plate extending into the said opening in the body of the box,

and fastening devices by means of which the end portions of said spring-plate are slidably connected with the side portion of the said body of the box, each fastening device consisting, essentially, of a rivetportion secured to said side portion, offsets 22 and 23 and a portion 25, said portion 25 being arranged in the elongated opening of said spring-plate, and a head portion 26 on each fastening device, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. I r r 5. In a box, the combination, with the body of the box provided with side portions and an opening in one of said side portions, and a hinged lid, of a spring-plate arranged against the inner face of one of the said side portions of said body, a finger-piece on said springplate extending into the said opening, means connected with the said side portion of the said body of the box with which the said end portions of the spring-plate are slidably connected that the said spring-plate may be bowed when the finger-piece is depressed, an upwardly extending and inwardly e inclining holding member-17 connected with said springplate, an edge or projection 28 on said lid, and a holding-lug connected with said edge or projection normally in holding engagement with said holding member 17, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

I 6. In a box, the combination, with-the body of the box provided with side portions having a recessed portion '11 and provided with an opening in one of said side portions, anda hinged lid, of a spring-plate arranged in said recessed portion 11, a finger-piece on said spring-plate extending into the said opening, means connected with the said side portion of the body of the box with which the end portions of the spring-plate are slidably connected that the said spring-plate may be bowed when & 2

the finger-piece is depressed, an upwardlyextending and inwardly inclining holding member 17 connected with said spring-plate, an edge or projection 28 on said lid, and a holding-lug connected with said edge or pro jeetion normally in holding engagement with said holding member 17 substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. A box comprising a body and a hinged lid, the said body having side portions provided with outwardly-extending portions 8 and inwardly-extending portions 9 to provide a E-shaped depression 11 within the box, and a surrounding edge 10, all integrally formed with the said body, said edge 10 providing a bezel over Which the edge of the lid can be arranged, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 3 8th day of January, 1904:.

BENNO VOM EIGEN.

Witnesses:

FREDK. G. FRAENTZEL, GEO. D. RICHARDS. 

